Ephesians 4:1-16, Live worthy of your calling

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christï's gift. 8 Therefore it says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men." 9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

Introduction

The Christian church is under increasing attack from the world both here in America and abroad. Churches are being destroyed and Christians are being killed all over. But we here in America face a different attack and it is from within the church. Among many issues that we as Christians need to work on, disunity is one of the more prevalent problems.

Our propensity for division is natural to our sinful natures and this is why God inspired Paul to tell us to live in a manner worthy of the calling which we have recevied.

First of all, God wants you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Read verses 1-3). But what does that mean, "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received"?

There are many examples around us of what it means to live in a manner worthy of a calling.

A policeman, when he works, is supposed to be an example of the Law. He lives worthy of his profession. He doesnï't steal and he doesnï't cheat... He defends and upholds the Law.

A doctor also is supposed to live worthy of his profession. He heals the sick. He cares for those who are ill and seeks to make them well.

A farmer tills the soil and produces food for thousands. He is called to this task and is gifted to accomplish it.

As a Christian, there are marks of what it means to live a life worthy of the calling.

In this section they are throughout. Look with me at verses 1-3

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance (endure with) to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Several fruit of the Spirit are listed here: humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace. All for a purpose, unity in the body of Christ.

Therefore, in order for unity to occur in the body of Christ, we Christians need to exhibit humility, gentleness, patience, endurance, love, and peace.

Alright, so God wants you to live in a manner worthy of being called a Christian. But why? Why does God want you to be humble, gentle, patient, bearing with one another, loving, united, and peaceful?

First of all it is because God has called you all into unity. (Read verses 4-5: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,"

The reason that it says, "one faith, one Lord, one Baptism," is because it is into one church that you are all baptized; that is, it is into one faith: the Christian faith. Calvinists and Arminians alike, male and female, young and old, immature and mature, black, white, and brown. One faith as a whole, and one faith in the particulars, one faith in the decisions that a church must make for the purpose of glorifying God, being united in love, and expanding the kingdom of God.

Take for example a Military Unit.

It has one leader, it works as a unit, it moves in one direction, it receives its orders and obeys them. All those in it work well together because they have been trained to do so. Sometimes individual members of the group don't like what they are called to do, but they do it anyway for the greater good. Therefore they are able to accomplish a great deal because they act as one.

Didn't Jesus say, "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one," (John 17:22).

God wants you to be united because (v. 6) there is "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."THE CROSS!

You have been bought and you are united to Christ.

The same God indwells each of you. The same Holy Spirit. If differences of opinion arise, it is not because God is telling us different things, it is because we are not listening. It is because we are stuck listening to ourselves and not to God.

Now is the time to listen more intently to His will and submit to His will just as Jesus said, "Not My will be done Father, but your will be done," (Luke 22:42).

God wants you to be united, of one mind, of one body, of one Spirit, of one faith, and of one Lord.

But God simply doesnï't require unity without providing the means to achieve it.

That is why He gave gifts

(v. 11) "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,"

an Apostle is a delegate, a messenger, one who issent forth with orders from God.

a Prophet is someone who is moved by the Spirit of God and who solemnly declares to men what he has received from God by inspiration.

an Evangelist is a bringer of good tidings, It is a name given to the New Testament heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles. They lead people to Christ.

Pastor =1) a herdsman, a shepherd; He is someone who cares for his flock.

The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep; to defend the sheep from attackers; to heal the wounded and sick sheep; to find and save lost or trapped sheep; to love them, and guide them.

During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.

So to, the Pastor comes along side to guide, protect, help, and teach the sheep so that they might grow in the grace of God and come to unity in the faith.

A teacher in the New Testament is a person who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of men. They teach doctrine and correct people in error. They are those who in the Christian assemblies undertake the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit.

Note: In the Greek the construction of the last two, pastor and teacher, implies that they are shared by the same person. The Pastor/Teacher is the gifting for one man.

These officers were given to the church by Jesus for a specific purpose.

To prepare you (v.12)...for service.

What kind of service? Spiritual service: prayer, helping, admonishing, teaching, forgiving, loving, and being an example of Christ in this world, and bringing glory to God.

To accomplish this you are to be both humble and bold, gentle and determined, patient and strong, bearing with one another in love (verses 2-3), forgiving each other, helping each other, and considering others more important than yourselves.

This unity that Paul is speaking of is for a reason: Maturity

Again we have an issue of "reason"; that is, the reason we are equipped and gifted in this church is (verses 12-13) so that "that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

As members in the body of Christ we are continually being built up to maturity.

Maturity in persona areas mentioned above: humility, gentleness, bearing with one another, love, peace, etc. so that you can...

Maturity in doctrine: Knowing what is essential and what is not essential. Knowing what it means to be gracious to others in the body of Christ who do not agree with you in areas of opinion. Patience and love and peace should be shown to all people in the body of Christ so that we might speak the truth. That is the result of maturity... speaking the truth in love.

Conclusion

In this world of anti-Christian bias we need all the more an extra measure of maturity, of grace, of gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.

Each of you needs to keep your eyes on the one Lord.

Each of you needs to keep your eyes on the one faith.

Each of you needs to seek unity, being knit together in a close group.

Each of you needs to be doing your part.

Reaching Up - Seek God in prayer, study, and reading his word.

Reaching In - Look to one another and find needs. People in this church are needy and need love and support. Visitors need to be welcomed and encouraged.

Reaching Out - The community at large awaits the continued demonstration of your love and commitment to Christ.

This is what it means to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

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